Krishnalal Bysack (Bengali: কৃষ্ণলাল বসাক) was an Indian circus performer and entrepreneur.[1] He founded the Hippodrome Circus[2] with an all-Indian team and toured Bengal, India and South East Asia.[3] He is considered to be one the pioneers of circus and physical culture in Bengal as well as India.[4] He was a descendant of Sovaram Bysack,[5] a well known merchant and zamindar during British Raj in India.
Krishnalal Bysack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 21 April 1866 |
| Died | 19 October 1935 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known for | Gymnast and Entrepreneur |
Early life edit
Krishnalal was born in Ahiritola area of Kolkata, Bengal in the year of 1866.[6] His father was Chandranath Basak and his mother was daughter of Brindaban Basak. He lost his mother at a young age and was raised by his grandparents.
Career edit
Krishnalal learnt gymnastics at a young age and gained expertise over the years. In 1882, he won praises after performing gymnastics in Sovabazar Rajbari.[6] He was famous for juggling, parallel bars, trapeze, top spinning etc. He travelled many countries performing his shows.[7] In early 1900s he established his own circus known as The Great Indian Circus which was later renamed as Hippodrome Circus.[8] At its peak period, there were over 200 performers in his troupe.
After retiring, he continued with teaching gymnastics and wrote his autobiography 'Bichitra Bhraman' (Bengali: বিচিত্র ভ্রমণ meaning Amazing Travelogue) which was published in 1921.[9] 'Bichitra Bhraman' has been reprinted in its centennial year[10] by D. M. Library Publishers and Booksellers, edited and annotated by Sourapravo Chatterjee.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Ghosh, Anirban (24 January 2014). "The Tropic Trapeze: Circus in Colonial India" (PDF). Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "NewspaperSG - Terms and Conditions". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ "পাতা:জীবনীকোষ-ভারতীয় ঐতিহাসিক-দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড.pdf/২০৪ - উইকিসংকলন একটি মুক্ত পাঠাগার". bn.wikisource.org (in Bengali). Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ "পাতা:প্রবাসী (ষট্ত্রিংশ ভাগ, দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড).djvu/৪২১ - উইকিসংকলন একটি মুক্ত পাঠাগার". bn.wikisource.org (in Bengali). Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ "Sovaram Bysack – The Lost Icon of Bengal – Episode 1 – The Ganges Walk". 27 November 2018. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ a b মজুমদার, পল্লবী (2020-02-07). "সার্কাস-গিরি-কান্তার-মরু: ইতিহাসের এক ঝলক". BanglaLive. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ "NewspaperSG - Terms and Conditions". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ Basu. Abanindrakrishna (1936). Bangalir Sarkas.
- ^ "Physical Cultures of Bengal". www.granthsouthasia.in. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
- ^ Bichitro Vromon.